[x838nwy]

  As for the build quality I think many would ask if you popped the hood or if you're simply speaking of the chassis. It'd be prudent to
ask if you understand electronics, etc. Meaning, if you had opened or were to open it up would you be able identify key pluses and minuses of the
internals rather than just see a clean layout and think "oh, it's pretty." 
 
 
 
I have no axe to grind against Alex or agenda to push. The LF flat out sucks. The LG is pretty polarizing. The LAu seems overpriced.
I'm neither a pirate nor a mobster, just an ordinary dude looking to sort the facts, who's into porn.

 
In about a month, I should receive mine. When I do, I will:
 
a.) e-mail Alex to ask if he's okay with me taking photographs of the innards and whether opening up the thing will void the warranty.
b.) study the case and see if it is beyond my skills to open/re-close the amp.
c.) find the time and courage to open it up
d.) take photos with my iPhone camera
 
If any of the above falls through (I'm thinking (b) is likely) it will not happen, obviously.
 
FWIW, I think we need to understand the difference between
 
a.) a well designed circuit
b.) a well-built circuit
c.) a nice-looking circuit
d.) our favorite topologies
e.) the sound quality of the amp
 
I think we can all agree that (a), (b) and (e) are the most important. Let's keep that in mind.

 

[sensui123]

 

  This is utter rubbish. The price offered has NOTHING to do with quality in Hi-Fi circles. It is based on what the manufacturer/distributor chain/retailer thinks they can gouge out of the buyer.
It is perception, vaporware.
 
Implication is not reality.
 
The true test of high fidelity and design/build quality is determined by proper scrutiny of the internal construction, circuit analysis, performance tests, parts and material used etc.
 
Something can be wonderful looking on the outside, and be a total mess inside.
 
It can also be a total pig of an aesthetic design, but perform like a champion.
 
For the price the LAu is selling for, it had better be built internally as well as externally as good as the Headamp GSX Mk-II.
 
You can pay a huge price for a nameplate that has street cred (e.g. Harley Davidson) without the product being any better than the competing brands with a lesser branding.

 
Well that was a tactful response, I guess it's expected of head fi lately, keyboard warriors that love to instigate behind a computer screen.
 
I guess I came off like I was defending LAu in some way?  I have never heard the amp, have never seen the inside, and am just a consumer in hi fi like most of the guys that hang out around here.  The only thing I was talking about was simple economics.  If Cavalli prices the LAu where it is, he is clearly not competing with amps like GS-X, Stratus, etc you name it around the $3k range that a lot of people love.  They clearly feel that this is a statement amp that is heads and shoulders above the competition to slap on a price like that IMO.  Is it worth it?  I have no idea....but mark me curious since I do like the Liquid Glass quite a bit and didn't think the Liquid Fire was bad.....just not exactly competitive with amps in the $3k price range but by no means a bad amp for the orthos I own.
 
Thanks for the diatribe regarding hifi, I wish I could say it was educational but I'm sure almost everyone on head fi knows plenty about the hi fi market and the factor of diminishing returns.  You basically snapped @ me for trying to say the same thing you eloquently stated at the end regarding the GS-X (and that's why I am on the build list for the next batch of the GS-X).  I am most curious about the LAu because of its price since I feel the Liquid Glass is properly priced and worth the money.
 

  As for the build quality I think many would ask if you popped the hood or if you're simply speaking of the chassis. It'd be prudent to
ask if you understand electronics, etc. Meaning, if you had opened or were to open it up would you be able identify key pluses and minuses of the
internals rather than just see a clean layout and think "oh, it's pretty." 
 
 
 
I have no axe to grind against Alex or agenda to push. The LF flat out sucks. The LG is pretty polarizing. The LAu seems overpriced.
I'm neither a pirate nor a mobster, just an ordinary dude looking to sort the facts, who's into porn.

 
I am thinking the smae way as you Cory (cept the LF, I don't hate it as much as you hah).  The LAu does seem overpriced but I can't shake the feeling that there's something to that....that's why I keep hoping someone will do a proper comparison between that and other top SS amps like the GS-X.

 

[capone]

No.
I thought winks response was well stated with no malice, just a good old firm opinion, and there's nothing wrong with that, is there? Oh are we not thicked skinned enough around here to take a little ear bashing?

 

[Radio_head]

The Apex Pinnacle is 10K.  One could argue they consider themselves above the fray as well to charge that much.  Yet multiple people I've PM'ed with chose the BA over it even though cost was immaterial to them after hearing both amps at shows.  There are many reasons an item may be priced where it is, and I wouldn't take the price as a guarantee of quality over lesser priced competition.  Bottom line, Apex felt that's what they needed to charge.  Its really the same with the LAu.  Maybe moreso as they sell it through an international dealer network.  Unlike say headphones where Audeze or Stax can get away with letting dealers have a pittance, headphone amps are plentiful with no one brand being the "must-have", so dealers take a good cut.

 

[Icenine2]

There is a a group of people on the Planet who either need to have other's justify their purchase or have to offer up the "Ma and Pa good ol' sensibility" type of thought.  Even if I can't afford something I won't bash it or give it the "who buys this stuff?" treatment.  I once listened to a full blown MBL system that was over $100,000 and brought literal tears to my eyes it was so good.  Oh well.  I ride a road bicycle that is fairly pricey and there is always "someone" who has to ask when you're out in front of Starbucks for a break "how much is that".  I try to dodge the question because it's always the same answer: "For a bike?!!"  If you dig it, it serves your purpose, makes you happy (look at all the old guys driving Porsche's.  They aren't going to go really test that car to the limit) be happy.  If not just move on.

 

[sensui123]

We can all agree that price doesn't dictate performance/quality.  It just strikes me strange that these guys know their competitors/competing products so to price something in this price range....they must have a solid reason (personally I don't really feel like Cavalli overprices stuff from my experience with the LG......LF I always thought was good when it came out hence the price back then).  I guess I'm just waiting on the same thing as everyone else, justification on the product itself in terms of performance/quality.  Thanks in advance to those that will share more experiences/comparisons on this amp going forward.

 

[Icenine2]

I am not concerned about the price.  I trust Alex implicitly.  What he's designed and built is incredible by my listening to it and I don't believe price was a concern.  Those who are interested and know will buy it.  The only way around pricing is to do something like Light Harmonic has done with their contribution/funding projects which are really impressive.  I think I'm going in and buying one of the new Geek Pulse for $250.  They've already raised over $100,000 so plenty out there who want this sort of thing.

 

[purk]

   
In about a month, I should receive mine. When I do, I will:
 
a.) e-mail Alex to ask if he's okay with me taking photographs of the innards and whether opening up the thing will void the warranty.
b.) study the case and see if it is beyond my skills to open/re-close the amp.
c.) find the time and courage to open it up
d.) take photos with my iPhone camera
 
If any of the above falls through (I'm thinking (b) is likely) it will not happen, obviously.
 
FWIW, I think we need to understand the difference between
 
a.) a well designed circuit
b.) a well-built circuit
c.) a nice-looking circuit
d.) our favorite topologies
e.) the sound quality of the amp
 
I think we can all agree that (a), (b) and (e) are the most important. Let's keep that in mind.

How about using a better camera?  That will be helpful.  As with everything, years of trouble free electrical circuit is also very important.

 

[x838nwy]

How about using a better camera?  That will be helpful.  As with everything, years of trouble free electrical circuit is also very important.

Well, the concept I wanted to convey is that that I'm not an uber skilled photographer specially when it comes to things like circuits. Plus, using my iphone makes it convenient for me to post photos. The camera on the phone's not all that bad is it?

 

[sensui123]

Well, the concept I wanted to convey is that that I'm not an uber skilled photographer specially when it comes to things like circuits. Plus, using my iphone makes it convenient for me to post photos. The camera on the phone's not all that bad is it?

 
For these purposes....it should be fine as long as you take the pictures in good light and get good shots from different angles of the internals.  Appreciate the effort and congratulations on picking up the amp, look forward to your feedback.

 

[capone]

  We can all agree that price doesn't dictate performance/quality.  It just strikes me strange that these guys know their competitors/competing products so to price something in this price range....they must have a solid reason (personally I don't really feel like Cavalli overprices stuff from my experience with the LG......LF I always thought was good when it came out hence the price back then).  I guess I'm just waiting on the same thing as everyone else, justification on the product itself in terms of performance/quality.  Thanks in advance to those that will share more experiences/comparisons on this amp going forward.

 
Reminds me of the old days when I believed in the industry, I sure emptied a truck load of money on equipment back then.

 

[x838nwy]

   
Reminds me of the old days when I believed in the industry, I sure emptied a truck load of money on equipment back then.

 
It may not be wise to generalize the entire industry based on personal experience. There are crooks in every industry, along with the good guys.

 

[paradoxper]

   
In about a month, I should receive mine. When I do, I will:
 
a.) e-mail Alex to ask if he's okay with me taking photographs of the innards and whether opening up the thing will void the warranty.
b.) study the case and see if it is beyond my skills to open/re-close the amp.
c.) find the time and courage to open it up
d.) take photos with my iPhone camera
 

Out of curiosity and if you don't feel comfortable answering then that's that, but did you buy your LAu full price or is this a demo unit?
 
I'd surely hope opening it up wouldn't void the warranty. Anyways, appreciate the effort.

 

[x838nwy]

  Out of curiosity and if you don't feel comfortable answering then that's that, but did you buy your LAu full price or is this a demo unit?
 
I'd surely hope opening it up wouldn't void the warranty. Anyways, appreciate the effort.

 
Not a problem. It will be a new unit. My purchasing experience is a bit weird, hence the 1 month wait which may seem odd to many. The local distributor has a new one in stock, but I am unfortunately running between 3 projects hundreds of miles apart so I wouldn't even have the time to pick up the thing so I only put down a deposit to reserve this one. I should be able to take possession of it next month (fingers crossed).
 
I'd hope opening it up wouldn't void the warranty also, but I've seen various photos of it and on a few it sure looks pretty trick to get inside of...

 

[sensui123]

Reminds me of the old days when I believed in the industry, I sure emptied a truck load of money on equipment back then.

like mentioned above there are definitely major scams in the audio industry. cavalli products have treated me well so I don't think it applies here necessarily. the truth will come soon enough as users get in more feedback and impressions. I like to keep an open mind.